Natsume Goushin Ryu 16-31 October 2002 news

16-31 OCTOBER 2002 NEWS

31 October 2002

So tired...
Episode 2 of Oh! Super Milk-chan Milk no IT Kakumei is now up. Source: infoanime.com.
The second season of Tenshi no Shippo will be titled Tenshi no Shippo Chu! and will be broadcast on Kids Station commencing 6 March 2003. Source: Moonphase.
Previously the shoujo TV anime Wagamama Family Mirumo de Pon! was only released on VHS. However, now volumes 1 to 3 will be released on DVD (each 98 minutes long) on 21 December 2002, price 3,800 yen (excluding tax) each. Further, a special DVD set for the three volumes will be released on the same day, price 10,800 yen (excluding tax). Source: Music Market. It'll come with postcard(s) and 2003 calendar. Further, those who purchase all the volumes will be able to apply for some bonus item (I don't know what). I'm not sure whether you need to buy the special DVD sets to qualify for the bonus item, or whether it's possible to buy the individual DVDs instead. CD Japan lists the special set as a first pressing limited edition item.
On 16 November 2002, volume one of the shoujo manga S to M no Sekai will be published by Kadokawa Shoten. This manga is by Saitou Chiho and Be-PaPas (the combination that brought you Utena). Highschool girl Maihime Sekai is on a school trip to France. But there's a train accident and Sekai and a mysterious bishonen are sent back to the 17th century. Price 400 yen (excluding tax). ISBN 4-04-924916-2-C9979. Source: Animate.
Tired. Don't know if I'm going to post up more news today...

29 October 2002

This notice on Broccoli's Panyo Panyo DiGi Charat website states that there's currently no plan to broadcast episodes 41-48 of the series (episode 40 having been broadcast back in September 2002). Instead, the episodes will be included in volume 4 of the DVD release. Further, as previously reported, episodes 44 and 45 were included on the DVD which came with the November 2002 issue of Newtype magazine. Source: Ma-ten.
Nikkei Net reports that the Yokohama District Court today sentenced Shimabukuro Mitsutoshi in relation to his trial on 16 October 2002 (see my entry on that date). As I mentioned on that day, the prosecution sought a two year prison sentence. The Court imposed a two year prison sentence (the courts often seem to grant what the prosecution requests, it seems to me ^_^;; ) but suspended the sentence for four years. The presiding judge noted that Shimabukuro, as a popular mangaka, could have a large influence on young people. Source: Ma-ten.
DengekiOnline.com reports that Konami has announced that pirated copies of the Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters card game have been confiscated in Taiwan. About 30,000 cards were seized from one company on 7 October 2002, another approximately 400,000 from another company on 17 October 2002 and approximately 650,000 from a third company on 24 October 2002. Konami had lodged complaints with Taiwanese prosecutors claiming breaches of sections 62 and 63 of the Trademarks Act in Taiwan. Yu-Gi-Oh is of course the popular manga by Takahashi Kazuki, serialised in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump manga magazine. The manga is also popular in Taiwan, where it is serialised in Weekly Top magazine. From now on, Konami will be liaising with authorities in the Asia region in an effort to deal with the problem of imitation goods. Source: Aniota.
An interesting Asahi.com article about anime. Citing Animage magazine in the article, it's reported that despite the declining birthrate in Japan, there is now the greatest amount of new TV anime ever, causing an "anime bubble". There are increased anime broadcasts from satellite. The station Animax has over one million subscribers. Animax started out broadcasting re-runs, but commenced broadcasting new works last year as the number of subscribers increased. Apart from terrestrial and satellite broadcasts, now there are also internet broadband broadcasts, such as that of Gundam Seed. Animation is attracting attention because apart from returns from the initial broadcast of the anime, the overseas market is expanding (in part due to the popularity of Pokemon in the US in the second half of the 90s) and the license value of anime abroad has increased. Some anime are broadcast on a pay-per-view basis nowadays and according to Sky Perfect TV, there are a large number of anime under negotiation for broadcast on a per-per-view basis. Further, there are sales from related goods including DVDs etc. The number of investors has therefore increased, attracted to anime as a potential investment in the depressed Japanese economy. Trading companies such as Mitsubishi are also investing. One of Mitsubishi's wholly owned subsidiaries has interests in works such as Beyblade 2002, Yu-Gi-Oh, Hamtaro and Hikaru no Go, which are popular not only in Japan but also overseas. However, some are concerned that the increased output may have exceeded the industry's capacity, which may lead to decreased quality. In April 2000 there were 20 new works. Now there are 34 works being broadcast. Source: Ma-ten.

28 October 2002

Been watching more Macross. Shao Pai Lon is a very Messiah.
Music Market now lists the price of the Princess Tutu DVDs at the higher price of 6,800 yen (excluding tax), that is, the same price as Animate Yokohama. Length of each DVD is still stated to be 105 minutes. On that point, I note that Mangaoh Club states that volume 1 at least will contain five episodes.
For the DVD release of Chojushin Gravion there will be a first pressing limited edition and regular edition of each volume. Regular editions will cost 5,800 yen (excluding tax). Limited editions will cost 7,800 yen and come with two figures each. Each volume will contain two episodes (55 minutes). However volume 6 will contain three episodes (83 minutes) and will cost 6,800 yen (excluding tax) for the regular edition, 8,800 yen (excluding tax) for the limited edition:
Volume 1 to be released 24 January 2003 (limited edition figures will be Runa and the left side G Driller which she pilots, being the left arm of the God Gravion)
Volume 2 to be released 21 February 2003 (limited edition figures will be Touga and the Grankaizer which he pilots, being the torso of the God Gravion)
Volume 3 to be released 22 March 2003 (limited edition figures will be Mizuki and the G Striker which she pilots, being the left leg of the God Gravion)
Volume 4 to be released 25 April 2003 (limited edition figures will be Eiji and the G Attacker which he pilots, being the right left of the God Gravion)
Volume 5 to be released 24 May 2003 (limited edition figures will be Eina and the right side G Driller which she pilots, being the right arm of the God Gravion)
Volume 6 to be released 25 June 2003 (limited edition figures will be Riiru and the G Shadow which she pilots, being the head and chest of the God Gravion)
Source: Music Market.
First pressing of volume 16 of the DVD release of Shaman King will come with a box. To be released 22 January 2003, price 4,500 yen (excluding tax). Source: Music Market.

27 October 2002

The November 2002 issue of Newtype reports that the new Studio Fantasia TV anime will deal with four shoujo space pilots. Thus, I guess the katakana of the title (see my 10 October 2002 entry) should be read as Stratos Four.
Oh!great will have a new manga serialised in Kodansha's Weekly Shonen Magazine commencing with the no. 49 issue (on sale 6 November 2002). The first instalment of "Air Gear", a "new generation outlaw story", will have some colour pages and be 70 pages in length. I hope we'll see a return to his more characteristic designs. His work on more recent "Fights" of Tenjou Tenge have been too generic, IMNSHO. Too bad I can't afford to get a weekly magazine like that ;_; For a pic of the announcement, see here. I don't know how long the pic will be up, though. Source: ultimatum half edition.
Well, since I questioned whether the news about Fujisawa Touru having a new manga in monthly Afternoon was true, it of course has to be at least partly true... >_< The official Afternoon website has updated with this page indicating new manga which will be serialised in the magazine over the next few months. Included among them is Fujisawa Touru's "XXX", to commence with the March 2003 issue (on sale in January 2003). Not information is available to present. I'm not sure whether the "XXX" is the title, or whether it means the title has yet to be determined/confirmed. Iwaaki Hotoshi will also have new, separate manga to start in the same issue. Source: ultimatum half edition.
As you may notice on the same page, the January 2003 issue of Afternoon magazine (on sale 25 November 2002) will come with a Belldandy figure (pearl-white version) by Kaiyodo. You'll find a larger picture on this special "Project Fujishima 2003" page of the site. The January issue will have a cover illustrated by Fujishima as well. You'll also notice a colour Belldandy figure. The February 2003 issue will feature the full colour version of the Belldandy figure. However, I'm not sure. That version may have to be something that you have to apply for, rather than being included with each copy of the magazine. Source: ultimatum half edition.
The Project Fujishima 2003 page also indicates that the special edition of volume 25 of the Oh! My Goddess manga will cost price 1,500 yen (excluding tax), not 2,000 yen as previously reported. The desktop accessory CD-ROM with contain a clock, schedule, timer, calculator and 2003 desktop calendar. For more details, see my 8 October 2002 entry (though note some details are now redundant).

26 October 2002

Evangelion soapdishes available for pre-order at Jungle SCS ^_^ Rei, Asuka and Misato.
I received my copy of the Kodansha bilingual version of the Ghost in the Shell manga. A nice, thick volume. As previously mentioned, it's smaller than the Dark Horse trade paperback, though. Nor does it come with the artwork of the individual issues which Dark Horse added at the back of its trade paperback. But all the colour pages of the manga itself have been reproduced, and as mentioned on Studio Proteus' webpage, this version is uncensored. Sound effects are just overlayed over the panels, and although generally unobstrusive, the fonts are pretty generic, whereas the touching up which Studio Proteus did on its version is to be preferred. Then again, this Kodansha version actually has page numbers. I hated the fact that the US version didn't have page numbers, particularly since there were footnotes at the end of the trade paperback which made reference to non-existent page numbers >_<
Also got my copy of the Animage Library DVD Book of Hoshi no Koe (The voices of a distant star). Have to say I'm a bit disappointed with this book. I knew the DVD would be the bare bones, but the encoding isn't as good as the original DVD. And the colour scenes reproduced in the book are too small to really be appreciated... The storyboards are a bit small too, but I don't think too much can be expected in that respect.
Volume 22 of Kodansha's roughly-fortnightly seinen manga magazine Young Magazine Uppers (on sale 5 November 2002) will include the 47 page start to Fujisawa (GTO) Touru's new manga Rose Hip Rose. It's about Asakami Kasumi, the "cute hip" highschool girl (with a gun, of course), who's a specialist at dealing with terrible crimes. Don't know how likely that news of Fujisawa starting a new manga in Afternoon is, then. Meanwhile, volume 21 (published 15 October 2002) has a Shirow Masamune "booklet poster", basically an A3 sheet with four risque illustrations by Shirow, one A3 in size, and on the back, one A4 in size and two A5 in size.
The manga R.O.D ~ Read Or Dream ~ seems to have a different feel to the original R.O.D manga. As previously mentioned, it deals with the three Paper Sisters and their detective agency. No Yomiko, Joker, Gentleman, Wendy, Drake, Nancy or British Library - instead there are Michelle, Maggie and Anita. Ayanaga Ran's simpler, cuter designs and artwork are in contrast to Yamada Shutaro's more detailed linework. Storyline for the first chapter was pretty simple too. However, this first chapter does seem like just an introduction to the manga. Wonder how the rest will turn out...?
Tenjou Tenge just keeps getting weirder, more supernatural...
On 20 September 2002, I set out the basic release details for the Happy World! OVA trilogy. Now it looks like a limited edition version of volume 1 will be released. The DVD Angel Christmas Box will cost 7,800 yen (excluding tax), 5,000 yen more than the 2,800 yen (excluding tax) for the regular edition of volume 1. However, it'll come with CD-ROM including a how-to-draw El/Eru section by mangaka Takeshita, art gallery, character data, wallpapers, angel fortune telling, design works, storyboards, soundfiles and more. Also included will be a Christmas card from El/Eru, a cute doll of El/Eru and an angel feather (to bring happiness?). And of course there'll be a box to hold all three volumes of the OVA and the CD-ROM. Pre-order cut-off date is 22 November 2002. Source: November 2002 issues of Ultrajump and Newtype.
You'll notice the source of a lot of stuff I post today is from the current issue of Newtype. Given the value of the Australian dollar and the cost of shipping, I usually end up get any anime/manga magazine two to three months late. This time, I happened to get a copy in a timely fashion \^_^/ Note that I'm talking of the Japanese Newtype. I'm yet to get a copy of Newtype USA... Of course, I don't really mind getting stuff late - less news to type up ^_^ Then again, it also means I can't tell if the stuff I'm typing isn't really news ^_^;;
I'm presently working my way through watching Super Dimensional Fortress-1 Macross. First time I've ever seen the TV series (though I watched the movie dubbed a few years back). I never bothered to watch the anime before, because the giant transforming robots turned me off. I'm happy to see that the Valkyrie fighters only play a minor role in the story though (at least up to where I've watched...) Actually, many years ago, before I'd heard of Macross, my parents bought me a die-cast metal/plastic Valkyrie fighter which transforms into Battroid and Gerwalk modes. Just hauled it out of the closet now and shook off the dust and sand etc. It's a 1/55 scale Skull Squadron Valkyrie VF-1S fighter (26cm long in jet fighter mode), with rifle that shoots little bullets and booster accessories that snap onto the mecha. No price on the box. Wonder if it's worth anything now...?
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex will be released in 13 volumes, two episodes per volume. As previously advised, the first pressing of volume 1 will come with a box to hold the first five volumes. First pressing of volume 6 will also come with a box, as will first pressing of volume 10. Source: November 2002 issue of Newtype.
Oh yeah, I just realised, I might be going to Japan at the end of this year/beginning of next year. That means I can pick up a copy of the From I''s OVA myself ^_^
The first series of 12 Kokuki, "Tsuki no Kage, Kage no Umi" will be released over five DVD volumes. I guess that means, a 2, 2, 3, 3, 3 episode release. Source: November 2002 issue of Newtype.
Three live action movies by Oshii Mamoru will be released by Bandai Visual as a box set on 25 February 2003. Included will be three DVDs for the two movies from the "Kerberos Saga", Kurenaii Megane (Crimson Glasses) and Kerberos ~ Jigoku no Banken (Kerberos ~ Watchdogs of Hell), and the separate movie Talking Head. Also included will be a special DVD, special CD and booklet. Price 20,000 yen. Around the same time, a new manga with story by Oshii will also be published. Source: November 2002 issue of Newtype.
Those who purchase all volumes of X the TV series will be able to apply for a set of 18 special trading cards illustrated by CLAMP. Source: November 2002 issue of Newtype.
Further, those who purchase all volumes of Full Metal Panic! will be able to apply for a Ponta-kun stuffed toy. Source: November 2002 issue of Newtype.
I note that the final volume 4 of the manga Anne Freaks by Kotegawa Yua will be published by Kadokawa on 1 November 2002, price 540 (excluding tax). I only read up to about chapter 11 of this manga about Anna, Yuri and Mitsuba, each with a troubled past. Should track down the remaining volumes someday. Source: November 2002 issue of Newtype.
The DVD included with the December 2002 issue of Newtype will be a Cyborg 009 special, including episode 4 of the anime, a promo clip, commercial for the series and staff interviews. Also included will be a commercial for the TV anime Asobotto Zenki Gokuu currently on air and trailers for DVDs for Genma Taisen, Meikyu Monogatari, Shonen Kenya and Discovery Channel. Source: November 2002 issue of Newtype.
Note also that those who purchase the October 2002 through to January 2003 issues of Newtype will be able to apply for a special DVD. You'll need to collect the coupons from the October to December issues (the ones which came with a DVD) and stick them on the application form in the January 2003 issue. Source: November 2002 issue of Newtype.
Taking things easy today, so I've got time to type up this crap ^_^;;

25 October 2002

That's enough for now. I think I'll watch some anime ^_^
TV Tokyo's website for the TV anime Platonic Chain is now up. Source: Moonphase. Doesn't appear to be much to see for now, though.
The other official website for Asagiri no Miko, www.asagiri-miko.com, has been updated. Click on the sign on the right for high-speed connections, click on the left hand one for slower internet connections. Source: Moonphase. Otherwise other Asagiri no Miko sites are Starchild's and TV Tokyo's.
(Updated) The Toei Animation site for the TV anime series Tsuri-baka Nisshi (The Diary of a Fishing Fool) has updated with more information. Source: Ma-ten. The anime commences broadcast on 2 November 2002. A trailer can be viewed on this page of the site.
Lupin III Castle of Cagliostro diorama/chessboard. Only 39,800 yen (excluding tax). Source: Aniota.
The release date for the DTS version of Akira has been put back from 22 November 2002 to 21 December 2002. Source: Aniota.
Impress Corporation gives a release schedule for the upcoming Space Pirate Captain Harlock series The Endless Odyssey. It'll be 13 volumes, and starting with volume 1 on 21 December 2002, one volume will be released on the 21st of each succeeding month (except volume 2 will be released on 22 January 2003). For volume 1 at least, picture will be standard size 4:3 aspect ratio, stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1ch soundtracks will be included, length 27 minutes, and the disc will be a picture disc. Looks like full storyboards will be included on the disc as well, using the multi-angle feature, so that the viewer will be able to switch between the anime or the storyboards while listening to the soundtrack. The series had been planned to be broadcast on Skyperfect TV, but since the cancellation of the broadcast due to the controversial images and the subsequent correction of those scenes to the approval of Matsumoto Leiji, the broadcast will not be going ahead. Instead, the series will be released as an OVA. Volume 1 of the DVD will be released on 21 December 2002, catalogue number VPBY-11581, price 4,800 (excluding tax). The CD OST will be released on the same day, catalogue number VPCG-84766, price 3,000 yen (including tax). Those who purchase both volume 1 and OST will be able to apply for an original choker. And those who purchase all 13 volumes of the DVD will be able to apply for an original diver's watch. Source: Aniota. I note that the Flash intro on the official website has updated with a bit more detail (but not much more).
Katsu Aki's manga Futari Ecchi is serialised in Hakusensha's monthly seinen manga magazine Young Animal. The love comedy manga tells the story of the marriage/sexual experiences of a virginal newlywed couple. Now, the December 2002 issue of Hakusensha's manga magazine Silky for young women (on sale 2 November 2002) will have Katsu's manga Futari Ecchi for Ladies. A reader's experiences' column will be established, where "your marriage and ecchi problems will be answered!" Source: ultimatum half edition.
GAiNAX and Kadokawa's Monthly Shonen Ace-A magazine have announced that the December 2002 issue of the magazine (on sale tomorrow) will come with a bonus 100 page Sadamoto Yoshiyuki book "Osadahon" (a play on the kanji for Sadamoto). The book will include chapter one of Sadamoto's manga version of Shin Seiki Evangelion as well as his Kotou no Oni manga (originally published in the February and March 1994 issues of Newtype and later republished in the collector's edition of Der Mond). Also included will be a long interview, essay manga, work data etc. Source: ultimatum half edition.
A post on 2ch states that the February 2003 issue of Kodansha's monthly manga magazine Afternoon (on sale in December 2002) will see the commencement of a manga by Iwaaki Hitoshi and Fujisawa (GTO) Touru. Not sure whether that means two new manga or the two mangaka working on the one manga... ^_^;; Further, two issues later (I think) a Belldandy figure by Kaiyodo will be included with the magazine. Source: ultimatum half edition. Then again, it's a post on 2ch, so who knows how reliable the information is...
The third in GAiNAX's Print Soft CD-ROM series, Abenobashi Mahou Shotengai, FLCL and Fushigi no Umi no Nadia, will be released on 20 December 2002, price 4,800 yen (excluding tax). The CD-ROM will contain over 100 pics from the three series that you can print onto cards, postcards, letter paper, labels etc. Source: Mangaoh Club and GAiNAX.
Pepsi's Gundam Bottle Cap campaign official website is up. For two weeks (or until stocks run out) one litre bottles of Pepsi and Diet Pepsi sold at Seven Eleven stores across Japan will have the Gundam bottle caps. Source: Ma-ten.
Asahi.com reports in English about four boys in Japan who took role-playing too seriously.
I note some of the copyright notices on the Japanese DVDs now refer to no distribution on the internet.
Bandai's website for the DVD release of Crayon Shin-chan is now up.
Free Flash web games from Sega. Source: Tentative Name.

23 October 2002 (final update for the day)

This final update for the day is a bit later than recently. I received a package from Japan, so I've been looking through that rather than collecting news ^_^
Famitsu.com reports that Konami will release an adventure game based on the anime Wagamama Fairy Mirumo de Pon! on 19 December 2002 for the Game Boy Advance. Price 4,800 yen. Source: Ma-ten.
Pioneer's website for the currently airing PuchiPuri Yushii TV anime is now up. Source: Moonphase.
The Graphic-sha Publishing Company Ltd is releasing a series of "Manga Artist File" artbooks. Despite the name, the series will deal with not only manga but also anime and game illustrators. First up in the series are the "Koh Kawarajima Portfolio" and the "Gensho Sugiyama Portfolio". Kawarajima was formerly a student of Urushihara Satoshi, and his style is very similar. Sugiyama appears to work on games etc. Each A4 size book is approximately 80 pages (64 in colour), costs 1,800 yen (excluding tax) and contains illustrations selected by the artist (together with rough drawings and line drawings), a guide to the artist's technique and the artist's comments. ISBN for the Kawarajima book is 4-7661-1358-6 C2379. ISBN for the Sugiyama book is 4-7661-1359-4 C2379. Source: ultimatum half edition.
Sorry, I typed up some of this yesterday but didn't get around to updating the page until today ^_^;;
Okay, last reminder about the second seasons of Rizelmain and Koutetsu Tenshi Kurumi Pure being available for streaming download at m.o.e's website. Episode 15 of both series are now up until 25 October 2002. The two episodes 16 will be up on 30 October 2002.
I note on the CD Japan site that an album by the pillows compiling their B-sides will be released today. the pillows of course wrote the music which was used in GAiNAX's FLCL.
The Princess Tutu website has announced a new chapter "Hiyoko no Shou" (Chick Chapter) in the story is to start broadcast on 15 November 2002 after the 13 episode "Tamago no Shou" (Egg Chapter). Source: Moonphase.
A new album by See Saw, music by Kajiura Yuki, will be released in February 2003 from Victor Entertainment. Source: Magicalantique.
On a related note, JVC's webpage for Gundam Seed is also up now. Source: Moonphase.
The official Sakura Taisen (Sakura Wars) website also has a page up for the OVA Kanzaki Sumire Intai Kinen (Retirement Commemoration) "Su-mi-re". Source: Moonphase.
The hentai title Bible Black seems to have some popularity. It's been announced on the Milky anime BBS that volume 5 will be released on 25 December 2002. Source: Moonphase.

21 October 2002

The Saint Seiya Hades Chapter OVA official website has updated with a commercial to download on the homepage. However, you're supposed to register first before viewing the clip (registration is free: just enter your name, email address, approximate age, gender and location). Source: Moonphase.
A preview for Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto ~ Someday's Dreamers (to commence broadcast in January 2003) is now up for download. Just visit the Download page. Source: ultimatum half edition.
More release details for Princess Tutu:
Volume 2 - to be released 22 January 2003, price 7,140 yen (including tax), first pressing will come with BGM CD and 16 page booket
Volume 3 - to be released 26 February 2003, price 7,140 yen (including tax), first pressing will come with BGM CD and 16 page booklet
Volume 4 - to be released 23 April 2003, price 7,140 yen (including tax)
Volume 5 - to be released 21 May 2003, price 7,140 yen (including tax)
Volume 6 - to be released 25 June 2003, price 7,140 yen (including tax)
Source: Animate Yokohama. On 14 October 2002, I reported that Music Market listed volume as being released on 25 December 2002, price 5,250 (including tax), first pressing to come with BGM CD. However, Animate Yokohama lists this first volume as priced at 7,140 yen as well...
Release details for volume 1 of Heat Guy J:
To be released on 25 January 2003
Catalogue number BCBA-1462
Price 5,000 yen (excluding tax)
Anamorphic letterboxed, Dolby Digital stereo, single layer, 50 minutes (2 episodes)
First pressing will come with box illustrated by Yuki Nobuteru to hold volumes 1 to 5.
Two reports by Nifty Animation Online here and here state that the upcoming Hand Maid Mai OVA series will utilise the DVD's multi-angle capabilities on certain scenes.
Following on from 19 October's news about the new manga from Katsura Masakazu, the mangaka has posted to the BBS of the authorised fan site Katsura Masakazu Doumei that the manga will be Zetman. Source: ultimatum half edition. Further, Katsura has also posted that a DVD box for the 1984 anime Wingman will be released in March 2003.
Broccoli is releasing two limited edition artbooks at the end of the year:
DiGi Charat Gashuu "Chocola 2002" by Koge Donbo
To be published 4 December 2002
Price 5,000 yen (excluding tax)
120 pages with 36 A3 size illustrations included
Limited edition of 7,000 copies
Kanan Gashuu "Kanan" by Kanan ^_^
To be published 4 December 2002
Price 3,500 yen (excluding tax)
A3 size, two volumes in a box with designs and illustrations for Galaxy Angel and illustrations and rough artwork for Aquarian Age
Limited edition of 7,000 copies
Source: Mangaoh Club.

19 October 2002 (final update for the day)

The Yomiuri Online reports that, next year, Nagoya is hoping to commence construction an enviromental housing development designed by famous artist Arakawa Shusaku with advice from anime director Miyazaki Hayao. The development will have environmentally-friendly features such as use of solar energy and recycling of rubbish. An initial design for the development can be see on the link above. Source: Aniota.
Nikkei Net reports that Tezuka Osamu's Black Jack character is being used to market a weather/health information service for users of mobile telephones. Commencing 21 October 2002 and using Black Jack as a guide, the Tokyo Electric Power Company group will provide news of the weather as well as advise of illnesses the user should beware of, taking into account the weather and the user's own health. It is hoped that there will be 100,000 registered users within a year. The "Black Jack no Otenki Doctor" service is being provided on NTT DoCoMo's i-Mode. Source: Aniota.
The Tenchi Muyo! official website has some original plans (presumably from back in September 2000) for the third OVA series up on this page. Click on the images for enlargements. I only had a brief look, but it seemed more a summary of the Tenchi Muyo series rather than much information about the new series itself. One page does mention that it's planned to be six 30 minute episodes. Sorry, I don't keep up with things Tenchi Muyo, so I don't know if that's news. Source: Moonphase.
Nippon Animation has announced that the release of the Rascal movie, originally scheduled for release in the (northern) summer of 2003, has been delayed. Source: Ma-ten. For more information, see my 21 July 2002 entry.
The February 2003 issue of Akita Shoten's monthly manga magazine Champion Red (on sale 19 December 2002) will see the start of the manga Saint Seiya Episode G (tentative title). Prior to that, the January 2003 issue (on sale November 2002) will contain information by Kurumada Masami about Episode G, a special poster and information about the Hades Hen OVA series. Further, this month's issue (on sale today) contains a poster by Kurumada. Source: ultimatum half edition.
Shueisha's now got its own page up for volume 9 of Tenjou Tenge with similar pics of the Natsume Maya figure. Again, click on the pics for enlargements. The regular edition of volume 9 will go on sale the same day (11 December 2002) and cost 505 yen excluding tax.
The November 2002 issue of Ultrajump is out today, including chapter one of R.O.D ~ Read Or Dream ~. The three sisters run a detective agency and are approached by Kelly(?) to recover a book which had been borrowed from a friend but then stolen. With the help of second-hand bookseller Chai, the sisters recover the book. But what was the book's contents...? Hopefully I'll get my issue the middle of next week \^_^/
It's been announced in this week's issue of Shueisha's weekly manga magazine Young Jump that a new Katsura Masakazu manga will commence serialisation in the no. 48 issue (on sale 31 October 2002). I haven't seen the announcement myself, but apparently there's the silhouette of a batman-type character. Source: ultimatum half edition.
I hate it when repeatedly FrontPage Express crashes on me >_< (I hate slow internet connections too >_< )
Sorry, for the past couple of days, I'd described one of my sources of news as "ultimate half edition". That should be "ultimatum half edition". No disrespect intended m(_ _)m I've now corrected those entries.
The Oh!great story in manga anthology tankouban Ultrajump Megamix 1 will be a new 42 page story "S ~ song of sapphire star ~". However, it now looks like publication of this volume has been put back to a tentative date of 12 December 2002. Price 838 yen (excluding tax). Other mangaka and works scheduled for inclusion are Nakahira Masahiko (who writes Hakaima Sadamitsu) "Sakura Ganbaru! Tokubetsu Hen" (35 pages), Matsumoto Takaharu (who writes Agharta) (title undetermined, 50 pages), Miwa Shirow "Dogs Tokubetsu Hen ~ Hardcore Twins ~" (20 pages), Sumi Hei "Machi-san" (20 pages) and Wanpaku "Kodama cotton 100" (32 pages).
More later, either in a couple of hours or at the end of the day...

17 October 2002 (final update for the day)

Kawai Kenji's official website confirms that the TV anime series Gunparade March will commence broadcast in January 2003. Furthermore, Kawai will be composing the OP and BGM. Source: Moonphase. Kawai has composed a lot of music for anime including Patlabor, Ranma 1/2, Maison Ikkoku, Hime-chan no Ribbon, Ghost in the Shell movie and more recently UFO Princess Walkure.
More pics of the Natsume Maya figure at Toranoana here. Source: Moonphase.
There's now a few small pics up of the official Natsume Maya figure which comes with the limited edition of the Tenjou Tenge volume 9 manga, here on Mangaoh Club's homepage (just face details) and here (scroll down a bit). Hmm, based on the pics of the prototype at the back of volume 8, I was expecting a bit more clothing, but I guess it was hard to tell from the black and white photos ^_^;; For more details of the release, see my 12 October 2002 entry.
A limited edition of volume 2 of the manga Loveless by Kouga Yun will be published by Studio DNA on 26 December 2002, price 762 yen (excluding tax). It'll come with an illustration booklet similar to the one included with the limited edition of volume 1 of the manga. Source: Mangaoh Club. The manga is serialised in Monthly Comic Zero Sum.
A limited edition of volume 3 of the manga Paniponi by Hikawa Hekiru will be published by Enix on either 21 or 25 December 2002 (I've got two conflicting reported dates), price 762 yen (excluding tax). It'll come with a picture book. Source: Mangaoh Club, Toranoana and ultimatum half edition.
A limited edition of volume 3 of the manga Zen Nihon Imouto Senshu Ken!! by Doutaka(?) Shigeru will be published by Kodansha on 8 November 2002, price 1,480 yen (excluding tax). It'll come with a B6 size tabletop calendar. The manga is serialised in Young Magazine Uppers. Source: Mangaoh Club.
A limited edition of volume 8 of the manga Chobits by CLAMP will be published by Kodansha on 27 November 2002. Tentative price is between 1,500 and 1,600 yen (excluding tax). Mangaoh Club states that it'll come with box to hold all the volumes, alpha box (not sure what that is) and some other item yet to be decided, whereas CLAMP's Chobits topics page merely states that both the limited edition and regular edition of the manga will come with postcard(s) without stating what else is planned for the limited edition.
Studio Ghibli has updated its products page with details for the Ponpoko DVD. Most of those details have previously been reported elsewhere (and I didn't like Ponpoko much anyway ^_^;; ) so I won't repeat them here. However I note that as to languages, there will be Japanese audio and Japanese subtitles but it's said that as to subtitles in other languages, that's still undecided.

16 October 2002

k-sempai, dou itashimashite ^_^ The volume was in stock, so I'm just waiting for the November 2002 issue of Ultrajump with the first chapter of Shin R.O.D now ^_^
BTW, Ayanaga Ran, who is to draw the Shin R.O.D manga, has referred to the title as "Read or Dream" in the "text" section of his homepage. Source: Moonphase.
The 13 episode TV series Raimu (Lime) iro Senkitan will commence broadcast in January 2003, according to this G'zStyle report. Source: Moonphase.
JVC Music's page for Kiddy Grade is now up. No music samples up yet, but I'm sure there will be in due course. Also, JVC has updated its new release page with samples and details of the CDs (and videos) to be released over the next month, including the Gundam Seed ED, 12 Kokuki Image Soundtrack, .hack//EXTRA Sountracks, Chobits, Macross etc. Source: Moonphase.
TMS Entertainment's webpage for the Tokubetsu Hen (special story arc) of the baseball anime Kyojin no Hoshi (Hoshi/Star of the Giants) is now up. Source: Moonphase. For more info about this edit of the 1968 anime, see my 5 October 2002 entry.
GAiNAX's page for its Print Soft Series of CD-ROMs is now up. Source: Moonphase. The Evangelion CD-ROM will contain over 200 pics, the Mahoromatic CD-ROM will contain over 170 pics. For more details, see my 14 October 2002 entry. Coming up: Abenobashi Mahou Shotengai, FLCL and Fushigi no Umi no Nadia.
Updated today's news about Shimabukuro Mitsutoshi with more info.
Flash animations of Oh! Super Milk-chan: Milk no IT Kakumei can be viewed here. Episode 1 is now up, together with episode 0 (character introduction). Note that the copyright information at the end of the animation includes reference to ADV Films. Source: infoanime.com.
Sorry, slept a lot yesterday, so no update.
Episodes 14 of Rizelmain and Koutetsu Tenshi Kurumi Pure (Steel Angel Kurumi Pure) are now available for streaming download at m.o.e's page here. These episodes will only be up until 18 October 2002. Previews for episodes 15 of each show also available for streaming download at the bottom of the page. Episodes 15 should be available in their entirety on 22 October 2002.
Volume 1 of the DVD release of Naruto will be out on 1 January 2003, price 3,150 yen (including tax). Source: Animate Yokohama.
Also, a release schedule is now out for the new Hunter x Hunter OVA series, Greed Island Hen (Arc). Volume 1 will be out on 19 Febuary 2003, then volume 2 on 19 March 2003, volume 3 on 2 April 2003 and volume 4 on 23 April 2003. Each volume will cost 7,140 yen (including tax) and first pressing of each will come with a bonus item. Source: Animate Yokohama.
Well, looks like this week's issue of Monthly Shonen Champion has confirmed that the manga Eiken is to be animated. As previously reported, Ohata Kiyotaka will be the director. Animation production will be by JC Staff. Character designs will be carried out by Ishihama Masashi, who did the character designs for the anime version of R.O.D. You can view the announcement here. I don't know how long the pic will be available, though. Source: ultimatum half edition.
Fancy a mouse for your computer designed by Shirow Masamune or Katoki Hajime (mecha designer for Gundam W)? ZDNet Japan reports that Elecom yesterday anounced that it will be releasing these three-button mice on 22 November 2002, price 7,500 yen. The mice each come with a booklet with an interview about the design process, concept and production. Black, silver and white models of each mouse will be available. Interface is USB and PS/2 (whatever that means - as you can tell, I'm almost a Luddite). Compatible with Windows 98/Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.5-9.1 operating systems. In the first set of pics in the report, Shirow's design is depicted on the left, Katoki's on the right. In the second set of pics, Shirow's design is set out in the top row of mice, Katoki's in the bottom row. Source: ultimatum half edition.
The Mainichi Shimbun and ZakZak report that the trial of Shimabukuro Mitsutoshi took place at the Yokohama District Court yesterday. As previously reported on 8 and 31 August 2002, the mangaka faced several charges of contravening the juvenile prostitution prohibition laws. Shimabukuro is reported to have accepted much of the prosecution's case, saying that he had betrayed his young fans. The prosecution alleged that he committed indecent acts with approximately six high-school girls. The present trial dealt with an indictment claiming that, between November 2001 and July 2002, Shimabukuro committed five indecedent acts with three high-school girls in a Yokohama hotel, on each occasion paying between 30,000 to 80,000 yen. In making its closing argument, the prosecution averted to the adverse effect which Shimabukuro's conduct may have on his young readers. A two year prison sentence was sought. The court has reserved its decision until 29 October 2002. Source: ultimatum half edition and Ma-ten.
I think I'll leave the news at that for today.

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